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Likeomg



Member Since: 29 Jun 2012
Location: Lake District / Newcastle
Posts: 2655

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
Steering / handling upgrade
Has anyone had the upgrade to the steering which uses the rrc damper and a new layout of the linkadges ?

A few companies are offering this just wondering if anybody has any feedback?


I can't exactly remember what's involved but it uses bits from the disco 2 with a relocated rrc steering damper...
Post #643705 13th Aug 2017 8:13pm
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Kit



Member Since: 12 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 1110

United Kingdom 1993 Defender 90 200 Tdi SW Scotia Grey
I can't offer any help on the subject but i'd be interested to hear about this as well? 1993 200 Tdi 90 CSW
1956 Series 1 Hard-top
1958 Series 1 Soft-top
Post #643747 13th Aug 2017 10:06pm
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bankz5152



Member Since: 02 Feb 2017
Location: South London/North Kent
Posts: 2193

2004 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Epsom Green
Gywn Lewis do a kit that removes the drop arm ball joint if thats what you're on about?

If so I fitted that to my 90 as I didnt want to deal with that stupid ball joint! Steering was improved, slightly tighter and less play once the PAS box was adjusted. Worth while, I'll be doing the same when the balljoint fails on the 110
Post #643870 14th Aug 2017 1:44pm
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grafty99



Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4796

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
I have exactly this setup. Disco 2 drop arm with sumo bars from Gwyn Lewis with greasable track rod ends. Much more solid feel to the steering with better feedback and far less post bump wheel wobble. 19mm hollow tube to 30mm solid - makes quite a difference Thumbs Up

This is the only picture I have currently


Click image to enlarge
 2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon
1990 Vogue SE
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html
Tdi 110 Thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69562.html
RRC Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic54492.html
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/george_grafton
Post #643970 14th Aug 2017 8:08pm
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Likeomg



Member Since: 29 Jun 2012
Location: Lake District / Newcastle
Posts: 2655

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
I think Grafty's set up is the one im after.... Sounds like its worth while
Post #644000 14th Aug 2017 9:11pm
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bankz5152



Member Since: 02 Feb 2017
Location: South London/North Kent
Posts: 2193

2004 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Epsom Green
Yeah it is a decent bit of kit, plus you get heavy duty Sumo Bars in the process! Though £ for £ it is expensive, I wouldnt change it unless there is something wrong with your current system
Post #644118 15th Aug 2017 10:18am
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grafty99



Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4796

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
Expensive, but there was nothing wrong with my standard setup and it's made a noticeable improvement Thumbs Up 2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon
1990 Vogue SE
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html
Tdi 110 Thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69562.html
RRC Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic54492.html
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/george_grafton
Post #644142 15th Aug 2017 12:04pm
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Harry.O



Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 716

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi ST Nato Green
I fitted the same set-up (albeit it with a drop arm from a scrap 300Tdi D1) about 5 years ago and am very pleased with it. When I come to redo the steering on the 110 I'll do the same again Thumbs Up

The original drop arm ball joints are a pain to replace.

https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product/defende...-hd-steel/


Last edited by Harry.O on 15th Aug 2017 1:16pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #644157 15th Aug 2017 1:16pm
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Likeomg



Member Since: 29 Jun 2012
Location: Lake District / Newcastle
Posts: 2655

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
For me i'm currently shipping a 480hp ls3 over from the states so any upgrade to the handling system is worth while...


any ideas on approximate costs? the car is going to be stripped down for the install so might as well do it at the same time.


Kind regards.
Post #644158 15th Aug 2017 1:16pm
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bankz5152



Member Since: 02 Feb 2017
Location: South London/North Kent
Posts: 2193

2004 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Epsom Green
Fair enough then!! Laughing
Post #644167 15th Aug 2017 2:18pm
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smb



Member Since: 15 Jan 2013
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 1232

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Yep, massive improvement. Had the standard Defender set-up with Terrafirma rtc damper, but the vibrations through to the steering wheel became intolerable even on short journeys. Was forever rebalancing the wheels and adjusting the arms, etc...but could never get it right.

The 110 is raised 1¾" at the front with one hd suspension being weighed down by an ARB Bullbar, winch(wire rope), and patriot rr running on 285/75 Cooper stt pro's on semi-beadlocks.

Gave up in the end and ripped the steering off to put the Gwyn Lewis set on with ome damper and balancing beads. The only improvement I had to make was put some small spot welds on the bar to stop the clamp moving/sliding which you may not normally have to do with a lighter more standard Defender.

Like chalk and cheese with absolutely no vibration and positive steering. Cant believe I put up with it for over 50k miles before doing this, but then I suppose it can be put down to the neverending learning process of Defender ownership.

For my set-up it was well worth doing and cost wise it wasn't a lot for the benefit. Would be one of the first things to do if I get another one. Thumbs Up
Post #644376 16th Aug 2017 9:57am
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JOW240725



Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7908

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Makes for interesting reading. Sounds like I'll add this to my list when the damper needs replacing. Thumbs Up James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers
Post #644380 16th Aug 2017 10:12am
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Supacat



Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 11018

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS DCPU Keswick Green
smb wrote:
The only improvement I had to make was put some small spot welds on the bar to stop the clamp moving/sliding which you may not normally have to do with a lighter more standard Defender.




Is there that much variation in damper lengths such that it could not be a more permanent solution to that fixing?
Post #686958 16th Feb 2018 1:30pm
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